Tendon repair using adhesive

A splice for a tendon normally tensioned in the body during joint movement and having a laceration forming adjacent lacerated ends, said splice comprising an elongated reinforcing member, the reinforcing member being substantially longer than it is wide and substantially wider than it is thick defining opposite broad surfaces, the reinforcing member being sized for insertion into the tendon in an orientation extending across the laceration with the lacerated ends abutting and being adapted for being secured inside the tendon without penetrating the circumferential sheath of the tendon by a quantity of adhesive such that tension applied to the tendon is transmitted through the reinforcing member.

A repair comprising a soft tissue structure having abutting lacerated surfaces, an elongated internal reinforcing member bridging across the abutting lacerated surfaces and extending into the portions of the soft tissue structure adjacent to the lacerated surfaces, a quantity of adhesive securing opposite end portions of the reinforcing member in the portions of the soft tissue structure adjacent to the lacerated surfaces such that tension applied to the soft tissue structure is transmitted across the abutting surfaces by way of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing member being dimensionally stable in the direction of its length so as not to stretch upon application of normal tension to the soft tissue structure.

A repair comprising a tendon having abutting lacerated ends, an elongated internal reinforcing member bridging across the abutting lacerated ends and extending into the adjacent tendon end portions without penetrating the circumferential sheath of the tendon, a quantity of adhesive securing opposite end portions of the reinforcing member in the opposite lacerated end portions at opposite sides of the abutting ends such that tension applied to the tendon is transmitted across the abutting ends by way of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing member being dimensionally stable in the direction of its length so as not to stretch upon application of normal tension to the tendon.

A repair comprising an elongated internal reinforcing member that is installed to bridge across abutting lacerated surfaces of a soft tissue structure and extending into the portions of the soft tissue structure adjacent to the lacerated surfaces, and a quantity of adhesive securing opposite end portions of the reinforcing member in the portions of the soft tissue structure adjacent to the lacerated surfaces such that tension applied to the soft tissue structure is transmitted across the abutting surfaces by way of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing member being dimensionally stable in the direction of its length so as not to stretch upon application of normal tension to the soft tissue structure.

A method of repairing a lacerated soft tissue structure having respective lacerated surfaces which comprises inserting a reinforcing member into the portions of the soft tissue structure adjacent to the lacerated surfaces, positioning the lacerated surfaces in abutting relationship, and securing the reinforcing member in the soft tissue structure by adhesive.

A method of repairing a lacerated tendon having respective lacerated end faces which comprises inserting a reinforcing member into the lacerated end portions of the tendon, positioning the lacerated end faces in abutting relationship, and securing the reinforcing member in the tendon by adhesive.